Boobgate case dropped

Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction during the Super Bowl halftime show may be a lot of things, but it's apparently not worth $US5000 ($A7000).

A judge didn't buy a lawyer's claim that CBS Television owner Viacom should pay him $US5,000 for having to see Jackson's bare breast during the February 1 show, during which a piece of clothing was yanked off by duet partner Justin Timberlake. Eric Stephenson had sued Viacom for false advertising in small-claims court.

Stephenson claimed he was led to believe this year's Super Bowl halftime show would be a family oriented, patriotic celebration.

The father of three children, ages 2, 4 and 6, said pre-game advertising and information in television guides led him to believe he would see marching bands, balloons and a patriotic celebration during the program.

Instead, Stephenson claimed he was exposed to explicit song lyrics, Jackson's bare breast following a "wardrobe malfunction," Jackson and her dancers simulating sex acts on stage and what he called singer Kid Rock's desecration of the American flag by wearing it as a poncho.

"The real loser here is the consumer," he said. "Without a victory here it gives advertisers a licence to lie and get away with it."